CONNECTICUT: Kathleen Bridget (Murphy) Fountain, 89, joined her devoted husband of 62 years, Richard, in heaven on March 28th. She died peacefully at her residence surrounded by all her children and niece at Suffield By The River, Suffield, CT.
Born in a stone cottage in the seaside village of Ardgroom, County Cork, Ireland to Cornelius and Julia Murphy, she came to the United States at age 19 by ship and settled in Massachusetts.
Kathy was employed by Mass Mutual Insurance Company in Springfield, MA before getting married and moving to Southwick, MA.
She was affectionately referred to as “Clancy” by husband Rick. A fan of Irish music, she loved to go dancing at the John Boyle O’Reilly club, but could also often be seen dancing a jig or singing in her kitchen. She was an active member of the Women’s Club.
She was one of seven children and is predeceased by her sister Elizabeth Griffin, brother Mark Murphy and infant daughter Carol Ann Fountain.
She is survived by five children: Deborah Fountain of New York City, Richard Fountain, Jr. and wife Gretchen of West Hartford, CT, Lori Hoeckele and husband Robert of Granby, CT, Kathleen Fountain, II and husband Bradley Koivisto of Washington, MA, Sheila Guthrie and husband Douglas of Milton, Georgia and beloved niece Donna Griffin of Enfield, CT. She also leaves six grandchildren: Julia, Connor, Grace, Harper, Claire and Bridget. She is survived by siblings Juliann Murphy and Cornelius Murphy of Ireland, Jeremiah Murphy and Bridget Bolger of England along with many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews in England.
Kathy was a devout Catholic and member of the Rosary Altar Society at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Southwick, MA and was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Zephyrhills, FL where she and her husband lived for 30 years in retirement. She regularly volunteered at the local nursing homes.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Road Southwick, MA at 9:00 am, May 29, 2021, followed by burial at the New Cemetery, College Highway, Southwick, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Catholic Charities Agency-Diocese of Springfield.
